Events Calendar

Media Release

Upward Bound Wins $2.1 Million

Posted on
July 19, 2012
by
MCTC News

Minneapolis Community and Technical College's (MCTC) Upward Bound program won a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education totaling more than $2.1 million. This annual grant will award MCTC $423,068 for the next five years to help low-income, first-generation students from Minneapolis and St. Paul public schools prepare for and succeed in post-secondary education.

Upward Bound is one of eight federally funded TRiO programs at MCTC. Each year for the past 29 years, the MCTC Upward Bound program has provided academic support to 80 high-school students in mathematics, science, English and foreign languages. The program also provides mentoring and counseling services to students and their families during the college search and financial-aid process.

According to TRiO Director Robert Reese, receiving these funds will enable the MCTC Upward Bound program to increase the number of participants, resulting in working year-round with a total of 90 students from Edison, Henry, Highland Park, North and Roosevelt High Schools.

"Receiving this grant marks a milestone for the MCTC Upward Bound program," Reese said. "As we celebrate 30 years, we're honored to continue providing educational opportunities to those in the Twin Cities who may not otherwise have the chance to pursue a college degree."

Upward Bound also offers an intensive one-week residential summer experience in addition to its school-year programming. During the summer program, participants take classes at Augsburg College and stay in the residence halls on the Augsburg campus. They also have the opportunity to participate in the City of Minneapolis summer STEP UP career experience where they participate in internships at local businesses, schools, public offices and nonprofit organizations.